IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 955 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the progress 

of peace and justice, accountability, and reconciliation in Sri Lanka 

after 26 years of a debilitating armed conflict, and support for inclusive 

development and a strong and enduring relationship between the United 

States and Sri Lanka. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

DECEMBER 8, 2016 

Mr. SALMON (for himself, Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina, Mr. DESJARLAIS, 

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, Mr. PALLONE, and Mr. ROSKAM) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the progress of peace and justice, accountability, 

and reconciliation in Sri Lanka after 26 years of a 

debilitating armed conflict, and support for inclusive development and a strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Sri Lanka. 

Whereas more than 7 years have now passed since the end 

of the 26-year conflict between the Liberation Tigers of 

Tamil Eelam and the Government of Sri Lanka; 

Whereas the people of Sri Lanka suffered greatly as a result 

of this conflict, the impact and aftermath of which has 

been felt especially by women, children, and families; 


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•HRES 955 IH 

Whereas the United States and Sri Lanka have a long standing partnership based in large part on shared democratic 

traditions; 

Whereas Maithripala Sirisena was sworn in as the new President of Sri Lanka in January 2015, campaigning on a 

message of anticorruption, inclusion, and reconciliation, 

and marking the beginning of a new era of the United 

States-Sri Lanka ties; 

Whereas in September 2015, the United States, Sri Lanka, 

and other international partners tabled a resolution at 

the United Nations Human Rights Council that emphasized the importance of truth, justice, reparations, and 

guarantees of nonrecurrence in promoting reconciliation 

and an enduring peace and prosperity for all Sri 

Lankans; 

Whereas in October 2015, Sri Lanka became the first South 

Asian nation to join the Open Government Partnership, 

expanding upon their renewed commitment to transparency and accountability; 

Whereas, on February 26, 2016, the United States and Sri 

Lanka held its first annual Partnership Dialogue in 

Washington, DC, demonstrating the strengthening of bilateral relations through regular and structured engagement; 

Whereas the Governments of the United States and Sri 

Lanka convened the 12th United States Sri Lanka Trade 

and Investment Framework (TIFA) Council on April 28, 

2016, in Washington, DC, and agreed to further 

strengthen United States-Sri Lanka economic cooperation; 


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•HRES 955 IH 

Whereas the United States Congress’ House Democracy 

Partnership and the Parliament of Sri Lanka signed a 

Collaboration Agreement on September 14, 2016, to engage in a mutually beneficial partnership between the two 

legislatures; 

Whereas reconciliation is a long-term process that will need 

to be led by the Sri Lankan Government and driven by 

the people of Sri Lanka, including civil society and nongovernmental organizations; 

Whereas progress on investigations into reports of war 

crimes, crimes against humanity, and other human rights 

violations during the conflict and promoting reconciliation 

would facilitate even greater United States engagement, 

bilateral trade, and investment in Sri Lanka; 

Whereas the United States is home to a large Sri Lankan diaspora, including Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslims, who 

have become an integral part of American society; 

Whereas Sri Lanka is strategically located at the nexus of 

maritime trading routes connecting Europe and the Middle East to China and the rest of Asia; and 

Whereas the policy of the United States should be based on 

an integrated strategy that improves economic and trade 

ties while supporting initiatives that focus upon accountability and reconciliation as well as the normalization of 

Sri Lankan military presence throughout the country: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) commends the people of Sri Lanka for their 

3 commitment to democracy and the democratic proc4 ess; 


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•HRES 955 IH 

1 (2) commends President Sirisena and Prime 

2 Minister Wickremesinghe for their commitment to 

3 peace, and reconciliation for all Sri Lankans; 

4 (3) calls on the Government of Sri Lanka to 

5 fulfill the commitments it has made to all commu6 nities, ethnicities, and religions, and under United 

7 Nations Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/ 

8 30/L.29; 

9 (4) supports Sri Lanka’s continuing efforts to 

10 rid the country of landmines remaining from the 

11 conflict and which kill or maim innocent civilians; 

12 (5) supports the normalization of the military 

13 presence of Sri Lanka; 

14 (6) supports the Sri Lankan Government in its 

15 efforts to provide a peace dividend, to the people of 

16 Sri Lanka, including by advancing accountability, 

17 reconciliation, devolution of power, broad-based eco18 nomic development and further integrating the Sri 

19 Lankan economy into the global trading system; and 

20 (7) expresses support for United States assist21 ance in the development of Sri Lanka as it works to 

22 develop and diversify the economy. 

Æ 


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